Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965
Xanthia tatago
This record describes Xanthia tatago (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: thorax and forewing bright yellow; collar, line fragments, and postmedial shading purple , mixed with reddish-brown; ST line dotted, black; hindwing white, tinted with pale yellow [description by Charles Covell]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Xanthia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
northern United States and most of Canada (Newfoundland to Connecticut, west to Oregon, north to British Columbia and Northwest Territories)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly August-October larvae in spring and summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: early-stage larvae feed on catkins of willow ( Salix spp.) then possibly drop to the ground and feed on various low plants ( Mass Moths ) also Cottonwood catkins ( Pacific Northwest Moths ); older larvae feed on the leaves
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The new name tatago is an anagram of the Eurasian specific epithet, togata . This seems to be a theme in this group: the genera Xanthia and Anathix are anagrams also.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xanthia tatago. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965
What is Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965?
Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 (Xanthia tatago) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965?
Wingspan 30-34 mm
How do you identify Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965?
Adult: thorax and forewing bright yellow; collar, line fragments, and postmedial shading purple , mixed with reddish-brown; ST line dotted, black; hindwing white, tinted with pale yellow [description by Charles Covell]
Where is Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 found?
Range: northern United States and most of Canada (Newfoundland to Connecticut, west to Oregon, north to British Columbia and Northwest Territories)
What does Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 eat?
The diet of the Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 includes early-stage larvae feed on catkins of willow ( Salix spp.) then possibly drop to the ground and feed on various low plants ( Mass Moths ) also Cottonwood catkins ( Pacific Northwest Moths ); older larvae feed on the leaves.
When is Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965 active?
Pink-barred Sallow - Hodges#9965: seasonal activity - adults fly August-October larvae in spring and summer.